Cedar Breaks Area Fittingly Dedicated

“Cedar Breaks Area Fittingly Dedicated,” Parowan Times July 6, 1934

“A throng of people variously estimates at from two to three thousand participated in a celebration at Cedar Breaks on July 4th, setting aside and dedicating that beautiful scenic area as a National monument. Though most of them were southern Utah people, the affair attracted many from other sections, including Governor and Mrs. Henry H. Blood, President Heber J. Grant of the L.D.S. church, Carl R. Gray and other officials of the Union Pacific system. Dr. H. C. Bryant assistant director of the National Parks service [sic], Leo A. Borah of the editorial staff of the National Geographic Magazine, George W. Middleton, Randall L. Jones, and other prominent people.

“The celebration was held at Desert View, better known locally as Wether flat, about midway around the rim of the Breaks and an ideal place for such an event. Under the direction of the parks service the boys of the CCC camp had erected a speaker’s stand at the edge of the trees near the breaks [sic] and had sawed blocks from dead trees to make seats sufficient to accommodate eight hundred or a thousand people. A flag pole had been erected and Old Glory waved in the breeze near by [sic].

“All the seats were filled and hundreds stood or remained in their cars which were parked systematically in the flat. P. A. Clark of the Parowan Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the committee which arranged the celebration, presided and after a few appropriate remarks as to the purpose of the celebration, introduced Randall L. Jones as master of ceremonies.

“The program commenced by a selection by the Parowan High School band and then the assembled throng sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” with Parowan and Cedar bands playing. Seated in the speaker’s stand besides those above mentioned were park superintendent and Mrs. P. P. Patraw, Mr. Jeffries and Mr. [Haugh?] of the Union Pacific system, and Benjamin Cameron of the Associated Civic Clubs. Looking over the audience Mr. Jones called to the stand, as people prominent in the development of the area and of southern Utah’s scenic attractions, Dr. M. J. McFarlane, Forest supervisor Jas. E. Gurr, district road engineer Wm. Osborn and Gronway R. Parry. The press box just off the stand was occupied by reporters for local and Salt Lake papers.

“Mr. Jones explained that President Gray and his party had yet to visit Bryce canyon on an inspection trip that day and then take the train from Lund in the evening which would necessitate their leaving before the program was concluded. He did wish them to hear from Mr. Borah, however, and accordingly called on that gentleman first. Taking for his text “The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fullness Thereof,” Mr. Borah said many nice things about Utah, her people and her scenic beauty and concluded by singing at Mr. Jones’ urgent request, a verse from “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”

“President Gray as the next speaker recalled that it is just twelve years on the 2nd of this month since he and a party of other officials made the trip to the Breaks and other Southern Utah scenic attractions which resulted in the decision of his company to participate in the development of this section. He mentioned with some sense of sadness that three members of that party, H. M. Adams, D. S. Spencer and Henry W. Lunt have since passed away.

“The Cedar City band played a selection after which Parks [sic] superintendent Patraw in a few well chosen remarks, officially accepted custody of the Cedar Breaks and outlined plans for its development, asking the public for a continuing of the cooperation which has thus far been given. Mrs. Patraw was introduced as the “president” of the Patraw family.

“Governor Blood as the next speaker mentioned the appropriateness of the celebration on the Nation’s birthday and made a patriotic appeal for loyalty to this great government of ours. He compared conditions here with those in other countries and emphasized what our national government has done and is doing for us. He said he feels sometimes that Utah has been favored by the present administration; that every single thing he has requested for this state has been freely and promptly granted.

“He pointed out that nearly $15,000,000 have been expended in the last few years by the various agencies including the Bureau of Public Roads, the State, the Parks [sic] service, Forest Service and the railroad in the development of Southern Utah.

“Then directing his remarks to include not only those present, but to the people of the nation, he extended an invitation to visit Utah and see her beautiful scenery, to feel the hospitality of her people and to learn of her resources, describing many of the scenic attractions in a very vivid manner.

“Mrs. Blood was introduced and in about three sentences expressed her pleasure at being here and her joy in coming to Southern Utah whenever occasion affords.

“President Heber J. Grant mentioned Brigham Young’s vision in selecting and pioneering this country and told of the vast territory included in the pioneer leader’s State of Deseret which embraced much of the surrounding states and included all the drainage area of the Colorado River above Hoover Dam. He said he first came to Utah as a boy of nine years old and had been in love with it ever since. For forty years he visited this section, he said, without ever hearing of Bryces [sic], Cedar Breaks, or Zions [sic] except as annoying breaks in good grazing country.

“Taken by surprise forest supervisor Gurr made an appropriate talk on the desirability of cooperation between the Parks [sic] and the Forest service and mentioned the latter’s program of development of recreation areas. He mentioned particularly the new Bowery road through Parowan canyon and said in his opinion there isn’t a more beautiful canyon anywhere. While the road isn’t completed, he said, it is passable, and he invited those present to come from the celebration by way of that road. Incidentally many of them accepted his invitation.

“Benjamin Cameron conveyed a message from the Associated Civic Clubs, Wm. Osborn told of the development of the highways of this section. Space prohibits detail of these interesting talks.

“Dr. Bryant of the Parks service [sic] referred to the history of the national parks, stating that they originated with Yellowstone 64 years ago and that there are now 24 national parks and 67 national monuments. He says the service wants only superlatives, areas which are outstanding and that the inclusion of Cedar Breaks is an evidence of its unusual beauty. He said how lucky Utah is in having such a generous number of these national attractions and mentioned the unusual opportunity this area affords for students of geology to study the earth’s history.

“Dr. George W. Middleton made a fine patriotic speech, appropriate to a Fourth of July celebration and urged Americans to pay more attention in America and less to European affairs. The assembly arose and sang “America” after which President Wm. R. Palmer offered the dedicatory prayer.

“After the program came the big barbecue, with those present enjoying the unusually well barbecued beef prepared by A. C. Hatch and A. B. Matheson of this community and served by CCC boys while the Parowan and Cedar bands played. Ball games, races and other recreation features occupied the afternoon.

“Not a single incident or mishap occurred to mar the celebration, despite the unusual opportunity for accident with so many cars on the road.”